CITY TO CLOUDS
Chiayi overnight,
Alishan overnight.
On the day of arrival, you will spend time eating and resting in the old city of Chiayi, and the following day your trip will include a 65-minute stop at Fenqihu by Mountain Train No. 5. You need to spend one night in Alishan to see both the sunrise and the sacred tree forest and still be able to come down without difficulty.
2 NIGHTS · 3 DAYS
Schedule to follow
From the airport, go down to Chiayi and take an evening walk through the old city center.
- 01Arrive at Taoyuan Airport around 11:30, enter the country and secure baggage for 60–90 minutes.
- 0213:00 Airport MRT → A18 Taoyuan HSR Station approximately 15–20 minutes
- 0313:40 HSR Taoyuan → Chiayi approximately 70 minutes · General reserved seat NT$1,010
- 0415:10 HSR Chiayi Station → TRA Chiayi Station BRT/taxi approximately 25–35 minutes
- 0516:00 Hotel check-in → Hinoki Village/Beimen Station walk
- 0618:00 Lin Chongming Shaguoyutou Main Branch Dinner → Cultural Road Night Market
After a bowl of breakfast, we ascend the altitude by mountain train.
- 0107:30 Turkey rice bowl breakfast at Liulijiang Jiroupan
- 0208:30 Hotel check-out → Move to TRA Chiayi Station
- 0310:00 Board Alishan Express No. 5 · Advance seat reservation recommended
- 0412:16 Arrival at Fenqihu → 65-minute stop for lunch in a railway box
- 05Departure from Fenqihu at 13:21 → Arrival at Alishan Station at 14:56
- 0615:20 Accommodation luggage storage/check-in → Zhaoping Station/Sister Pond short forest path
- 0717:30 Dinner at accommodation or Alishan restaurant · Closes early in mountainous areas
After sunrise, come down to the Shinmok Forest and catch the evening flight.
- 01After 16:30 the previous day, check the departure time of the next day on the Jusan Line and purchase a ticket.
- 02Approximately 70–90 minutes before sunrise, Alishan Station → Zhushan Station Mountain Train · NT$150 one way
- 03After watching the sunrise, return to Jushan Station or the Alishan area by walking for 30 minutes.
- 0407:30 Breakfast → Shinmok-gun Trail, Suunsa Temple, Samdaemok about 90 minutes
- 0510:30 Check-out → Alishan Bus Terminal
- 06Around 11:10, Taiwan Tourist Shuttle No. 7329 → HSR Chiayi Station, about 2 hours and 30 minutes
- 0714:30 HSR Chiayi → Taoyuan approximately 70 minutes → Airport MRT transfer
- 08Arrive at the airport around 16:30. For international flights, departure after 19:00 is recommended.
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
In turkey rice bowl
Until evening on the mountain.
Prices and opening hours are approximate as of confirmation in September 2026. Please check the linked official or local information for closures, sold out, and reservation conditions just before departure.
DAY 2 · Morning
Liulijiang Jiroupan
- movement line
- Approximately 5–10 minutes by taxi from TRA Chiayi Station towards Beimen Station
- menu
- Turkey rice bowl, soft-boiled egg, ribs and clear soup
- budget
- Approximately NT$100–250 per person
- sales
- Normally 07:30–14:30·16:30–18:30 · Closed on Mondays
If you want to eat before the mountain train departs, get there when it opens at 7:30. If the line is long, you will have to get out at 8:20 and go to the station.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 1 · Dinner
Lin Chongming Siguoyutou
- movement line
- South of Munhwa-ro Night Market / Approximately 8 minutes by car from Hinoki Village
- menu
- Fish head hot pot, cabbage, tofu skin, fish cake and fried rice cake
- budget
- Approximately NT$300–650 per person
- sales
- Normally 12:00–22:00 · Last order/waiting confirmation
The hotpot is good for two or more people to share. If you're alone, check to see if they sell single sets, and get in earlier than the evening peak before walking through the night market.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Fenqihu railway lunch box
- movement line
- Fenqihu Station, Old Street, Express No. 5, 65-minute stop section
- menu
- Lunch box topped with chicken legs or pork ribs, eggs, bamboo shoots, and vegetables
- budget
- Approximately NT$180–250 per unit
- sales
- Sales during train arrival times, popular menu items may sell out early
Take advantage of the stopping time of train No. 5. If the line is long, buy a packed lunch first and leave at least 10 minutes to return to the platform.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Dinner
Alishan, Vice Minister of Sunrise and Fortune
- movement line
- Check shuttle and walking routes within Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and accommodations
- menu
- Semi-buffet style hotpot with local vegetables and mushrooms
- budget
- Approximately NT$700–1,200 per person
- sales
- Dinner 17:30–20:00 · Reservation recommended, check operating days
Restaurants on the mountain have few choices and close early. If there is no hotel dinner, it is safer to reserve a table before check-in.
Check the latest information ↗AFTER SUNRISE
Only after sunrise
I see a forest.
If you just watch the sunrise of Zhushan and come straight down, you will miss half of the trip to Alishan. After breakfast, we follow the Sinmokgun trail to see huge cypresses and Samdae trees, and then descend the bus with one bus left to spare.
In thick fog and rain, wooden decks become slippery. Even if you don't see the sunrise, you can't turn back train time, so bring waterproof outerwear and slip-resistant shoes.
BOOKING CHECK
The mountain train
Choose number 5.
9:00 AM No. 1 operates after Fenqihu and the route may vary. This itinerary is based on No. 5, which departs Chiayi at 10:00, stops at Fenqihu for 65 minutes, and arrives at Alishan at 14:56 according to the official timetable. Be sure to check again on the reservation date for notices of service suspensions or changes.
WHERE TO STAY
Two mountain accommodations,
Two cost-effective options in the city center.
Recommendation Conclusion
Alishan House is better for views, facilities, and forest access, and Seonmu Hotel is better for budget savings on the mountain. On the first day, the Orange Hotel has an advantage when it comes to restaurants and night markets, and the Mega Hotel has an advantage when it comes to riding the mountain train.
Alishan House
Check the shuttle stop inside the forest recreation area at 2,274m above sea level.
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$9,000–18,000+ per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast and many included plans
- Dinner
- Rising Hall Buffet · 1 night and 2 meals plan or add on site
- parking
- General vehicles must park at the tourist center and then take the shuttle. Direct access in front of the hotel is restricted.
- Advantages
- Forest view rooms and rooftop have the best accessibility to sunset, sea of clouds, and Shinmok trail.
- Cons
- Rates are high, rooms fill up quickly during peak season, and shuttles from the station must be on time.
Alishan Shenmu Hotel
Zhongzheng Village accommodation area · Alishan Station shuttle ticket
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$4,000–7,500 per night
- breakfast
- Check center, location, and time for plan including simple breakfast
- Dinner
- No hotel dinner · Use Zhongzhengchon restaurant or reserved restaurant
- parking
- Shuttle transfer is standard after public parking at the entrance to the entertainment district.
- Advantages
- Access to the sunrise train and bus terminal is practical and the price is low among mountain accommodations.
- Cons
- The rooms are small, elevator and soundproofing conditions vary for each room, and there are no luxury facilities.
Orange Hotel Chiayi Cultural Branch
Walking distance to Munhwa-ro Night Market · Approximately 12 minutes from TRA Chiayi Station
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$2,000–3,800 per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast · Check availability
- Dinner
- Dinner not available. Use the night market and nearby restaurants for cultural reasons.
- parking
- Limited partnerships/nearby parking/prior inquiry required
- Advantages
- Culturally, the night market and first-day restaurants are easily accessible, and the shared lounge and laundry are practical.
- Cons
- Traveling by car is inconvenient as the basic rooms are small and mechanical and external parking is available.
Mega Hotel Chiayi
Approximately 3 minutes walk from TRA Chiayi Station · Convenient for mountain train departure
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$2,300–4,500 per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast · Check start time if taking an early train
- Dinner
- Hotel restaurant and bar available · Not included in basic room rate
- parking
- Limited free/affiliated parking, check first-come, first-served basis
- Advantages
- The Alishan mountain train has the shortest travel time and relatively spacious rooms.
- Cons
- It takes about 15 minutes to walk to Munhwaro Night Market. If you leave before breakfast, you may not be able to use the included benefits.
Rate criteria · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night searchable in September 2026. The final payment screen determines whether taxes, meals, and parking are included.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
This is the cost per person for a two-person trip and excludes flights and shopping. The total price varies greatly depending on whether you choose Alishan House for 1 night and 2 meals.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- Don't miss both Chiayi food and Alishan sunrise
- Take advantage of Fenqihu’s 65-minute stop without any additional travel.
- On the last day, descend by bus instead of train to secure more time choices.
CHECK
Things to know
- Mountain train seats and mountain accommodations may sell out early.
- Jusan Line departure time will be announced after 16:30 the previous day.
- A late return flight is necessary considering rain, fog, and mountain road congestion.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Please check again before departure.
Alishan Forest Railway/Main Line Timetable ↗Jusan Line · Next day departure time notice ↗Alishan National Scenic Area · Buses and transportation ↗Taiwan high-speed rail · General fare table ↗Chiayi City Tourism Bureau · Tourism and Food ↗Times and prices are as of confirmation on September 3, 2026. Train, bus, and sunrise times are final based on the official announcement of the travel date.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.